Affordable and Clean Energy
Local Community Outreach for Energy Efficiency
The University of Newcastle delivers community and school outreach that helps people explore energy efficiency, clean energy technologies and the role of engineering in a lower-emissions future.
Clean energy innovation in the Hunter
On 2 April 2025, the University's I2N Startup Stories program at the Honeysuckle Innovation Hub featured University alumnus Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech. The public event explored how a Newcastle cleantech startup is making ammonia production cleaner and more energy efficient, using less energy while reducing emissions and manufacturing costs.
The session connected clean-energy research and entrepreneurship with the Hunter's startup community, showing how energy-efficiency innovation can move from the laboratory into practical industrial applications.
Peter Richardson, founder and CEO of Facet Amtech.
Energy learning through the Science and Engineering Challenge
The University's Science and Engineering Challenge is a nationwide STEM outreach program delivered in partnership with communities, Rotary clubs, universities and sponsors. In 2025, more than 26,800 students from over 873 schools took part, including Challenge and Discovery Days in Newcastle, the Central Coast and other regional communities.
Energy and sustainability are built into the program's hands-on activities. In ElectraCITY, students design an electricity network for a model city and must find the most efficient, lowest-cost way to supply buildings while accounting for cable resistance and infrastructure costs. Other activities include wind-turbine design and environmentally responsive housing.
The 2025 event calendar included Newcastle Challenge Days from 4-10 April and Newcastle Discovery Days from 8-12 September, alongside events throughout New South Wales and every Australian state and territory.
The National Science and Engineering Challenge
Building energy literacy through practical outreach
These programs give school students, community members, innovators and local industry practical ways to engage with energy efficiency and clean-energy solutions. They connect technical concepts with real-world decisions about electricity use, industrial processes, renewable technologies and sustainable design.
2024 Annual Spring School
The University of Newcastle's centre for organic electronics (COE) successfully hosted its 14th annual spring school. In 2024, this three-day event provided undergraduate students from various disciplines, including Science, Math, IT, Engineering, and Medical Sciences, with an opportunity to explore cutting-edge research in organic electronics. The program featured lectures from local and international experts, hands-on experiences in COE labs, and interactive think tank sessions aimed at inspiring students to pursue research careers. Highlights included fabricating organic solar cells, operating advanced microscopes, racing simulated EV cars, and learning about Printed Solar and its recycling. Accredited by CIFAL Newcastle and the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), students received formal recognition for their participation. The event, sponsored by Spruson & Ferguson Intellectual Property and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, saw students awarded for solar cell efficiency and EV racing. Following the event’s success, many students expressed interest in continuing their research journey with the COE.
COE, the University of Newcastle Australia 5:43
Learn more
News • 10 Feb 2026
World-leading MRI upgrade boosts research capability at HMRI Imaging Centre
Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) has unveiled a major upgrade to imaging capabilities with the installation of a new Siemens Healthineers MAGNETOM Cima.X Fit MRI scanner at the Hunter Medical Research Institute Imaging Centre, strengthening the region's capacity for world-class medical research.
News • 10 Feb 2026
Centuries-old coolabahs reveal how water and climate shaped the Gwydir Wetlands
New science has revealed some of the Gwydir Wetlands’ iconic coolabahs and river red gums are up to 500 years old.
News • 04 Feb 2026
New equipment brings cancer's complexity into focus
Researchers are preparing for the arrival of a new state‑of‑the‑art instrument that will accelerate studies into some of the most aggressive cancers.
News • 03 Feb 2026
Yes, weight-loss drugs work but nutrition needs attention
Popular GLP-1 and GIP medications, such as semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and liraglutide (Saxenda) are changing the way obesity and type 2 diabetes are viewed and treated.
News • 31 Jan 2026
‘Window to the brain’ opened with powerful cancer tech
Technology created at The University of Queensland, in collaboration with Newcastle researchers, could improve the odds of surviving brain cancer and change how we treat a range of neurological conditions.
News • 28 Jan 2026
First students welcomed to University’s new Gosford Central building
The University of Newcastle’s new building in the heart of Gosford will come alive today as Welcome Week activities kick off from 10am. The day will treat hundreds of new students to live music, a free lunch and information to help make their study journey a positive one.
News • 27 Jan 2026
Newcastle scientist named among UNESCO Quantum Top 100
University of Newcastle quantum scientist Dr Lachlan Rogers has been named among UNESCO’s global Quantum Top 100, recognising leading researchers shaping the future of quantum science and technology.
News • 27 Jan 2026
University congratulates distinguished 2026 Australia Day Honours recipients
The University of Newcastle is proud to congratulate all recipients who have been recognised in the 2026 Australia Day Honours, particularly those who make up the vibrant and growing University community.
News • 23 Jan 2026
Thousands flock to campus in anticipation of a new academic year
As the University prepares for its first week of teaching for the new academic year, thousands of students are poised to mark the start of their university journey at Welcome Week celebrations.
News • 21 Jan 2026
Unlocking new pathways to help Australians with severe breathing illness
Respiratory researchers are set to investigate a surprising driver of poor lung health: the body’s metabolism.
News • 07 Jan 2026
Innovative ideas awarded $3.8m in NHMRC research grants
Three University of Newcastle research teams have been awarded more than $3.8 million in National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants, designed to support innovative research projects which address a specific question.
News • 18 Dec 2025
Former Australian Prime Minister honoured at University of Newcastle graduations
His Excellency the Honourable Dr Kevin Rudd AC was today recognised for his extraordinary contributions to the nation, public life, and diplomacy with an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Newcastle.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.